Stafford Rangers — Lower Breck

REPORT

While Rangers were defeating Play Off hopefuls Lower Breck, fellow strugglers Sporting Khalsa were causing a shock by defeating form side Stalybridge Celtic.

The other team in the mix – Congleton Town – were beaten at Witton Albion, meaning that just two points separate the three clubs with two games to play.

With Marsel Tola suspended, Graham Deakin recalled John Atherton to the squad after the midfielder had been left out of the two games over Easter.

Rangers elected to play into the strong wind that was blowing towards the Social Club end and they started well with Atherton looking keen to make an impression but visiting keeper Theo Roberts wasn’t tested.

John Atherton was back in the starting lineup

Instead, it was the Merseysiders who got the first shot on goal when Samuel Burns tried his luck from around 25 yards but his shot was straight at Scott Moloney.

Rangers responded a minute later with Jack Birch’s free kick which was inches ahead of the reach of Atherton.

Jack Birch free kick just evades John Atherton

Liam Morris sent in a low drive that skimmed the rain dampened surface before going just wide of Scott Moloney’s right hand post before the Stafford keeper kept out Patrick Kay with an excellent save after the Breck no11 had created the opening with a smart turn.

Half Time: Stafford Rangers 0 Lower Breck 0

Breck had two great chances in a matter of seconds at the start of the second half, firstly when Adisa Osayande blocked a shot from Lewis Buckley then

Moloney pushed away a good strike from Jordan Barrow.

It was Rangers who got the breakthrough on 49 minutes. A goal kick from Roberts held up in the wind and Joe Thompson’s header put Matt Hearsey clear.

Hearsey overcame the challenge of Roberts to record his 6th goal since joining the club at the end of January.

Hearsey scores the winner after getting past the keeper

Breck’s main threat came via Alex Cherera and he came close to an equaliser soon after Hearsey’s opener while Buckley fired over following a quick throw from Morris.

Midway through the half, the visitors enjoyed a prolonged period of possession which culminated in a corner, met by the head of Barrow but Moloney was well positioned.

At the other end, Rangers had chances to extend their lead but Adisa Olayande sent a looping header over and a drive from Ash Fallon also cleared the bar.

Sub Dan Cockerline missed a gilt edged chance to make sure of the win when an error from James Cooper left him with just the keeper to beat but his attempted lob went over.

Cockerline went some was to making amends a couple of minutes later when he made a vital clearance inside the Rangers’ 6 yard box then Moloney saved from Cherera.

Moloney saves from Cherera

Moloney was given the sponsor’s man of the match award and he showed why with a great save in the final minute of added time as he kept out Barrow’s thumping volley. Cherera put the loose ball into the side netting and Rangers were able to celebrate three points.

A jubilant management team celebrate the vital win

Full Time: Stafford Rangers 1 Lower Breck 0

Stafford Rangers: 1 Scott Moloney, 2 Andy Burns, 3 Ben O’Hanlon, 4 Ashley Fallon (14 Regan Riley 90m), 5 Adisa Osayande, 6 Callum Wilson, 7 John Atherton (12 Kaiman Anderson 68m), 8 Joe Thompson, 9 James O’Neill (15 Dan Cockerline 72m), 10 Jack Birch, 11 Matthew Hearsey (17 Ben Woods 85m). Unused Sub 16 Devarn Green

Lower Breck: 1 Theo Roberts, 2 Liam Morris, 3 Daniel Lowey, 4 Frazer Cookson (15 Daniel McKenna 75m), 5 James Cooper, 6 Connor Millington (12 Connor Murphy 83m), 7 Alex Cherera, 8 Jordan Barrow, 9 Lewis Buckley (17 William Edmondson 83m), 10 Samuel Burns (16 Nathan Corness 73m), 11 Patrick Kay (14 Michael Fitzgerald 70m).

Referee: Thomas Viles
Cautions: Wilson 34m, Anderson 82m, Cockerline 90+4m (Stafford); Barrow 44m, Cookson 71m, Edmondson 87m (Lower Breck)

Goals: Hearsey 49m (Stafford)

Att: 718

Report by Chris Elsley

Interview Graham Deakin